Vintage Snare Wire 16

Category:

Description

Natural shell sound and full tone

Using 16 strands gives less overall sound of the snare wires themselves – giving the actual shell sound more presence.
When the sound characteristics of the shell are more defined, the overall drum sound feels “thicker” and more full.
For those drummers who use calf or imitation calf drum heads on concert drums, or for those who may feel that the sound of straight concert snare wires is too dry, we highly recommend the Canopus VSW-16 to give a moderately dry sound.
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Vintage Snare Wire 16
No. Size Type
CPSL-14DR16 for 14″ * 0.5mm thick Brass End Plate
* Vintage Wire 16 Strand
* Dry (DR) Only

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Reviews


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Ken "K Bo" Biedzynski
Ken “K Bo” Biedzynski

Canopus will not disappoint at any level; they excel in performance, appearance, workability, and overall presentation.

Ken "K Bo" Biedzynski
Ken “K Bo” Biedzynski
Canopus will not disappoint at any level; they excel in performance, appearance, workability, and overall presentation.


» Read More And Watch Video Here [Product Review: Canopus’ RFM Drum Series]

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Ken "K Bo" Biedzynski
Ken “K Bo” Biedzynski

The "Hybrid" series is economical, light-weight, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. I can see players at all levels will be very satisfied with these products. I certainly was. Thus, I want to thank the good people at Canopus for allowing me to review their “Hybrid” hardware series and I thought their products were so good that I have chosen to incorporate them into my regular hardware rotation. Check out the “Hybrid” hardware series for yourself and I doubt you will be disappointed. Canopus you rock!

Ken "K Bo" Biedzynski
Ken “K Bo” Biedzynski
The "Hybrid" series is economical, light-weight, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. I can see players at all levels will be very satisfied with these products. I certainly was. Thus, I want to thank the good people at Canopus for allowing me to review their “Hybrid” hardware series and I thought their products were so good that I have chosen to incorporate them into my regular hardware rotation. Check out the “Hybrid” hardware series for yourself and I doubt you will be disappointed. Canopus you rock!



» Read More Here [Product Review: Canopus Drums’ Hybrid Hardware Series]

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Drum Gear Review

I think Canopus’ Alphonse Mouzon signature snare drum is a very fitting tribute to the man who helped create it. I felt closer to his sound when playing it. ...

Drum Gear Review
I think Canopus’ Alphonse Mouzon signature snare drum is a very fitting tribute to the man who helped create it. I felt closer to his sound when playing it. It was controlled, lively, and powerful when needed. And on top of that, it was absolutely beautiful to look at. I really hope that Canopus continues to make this drum available. It’s a great testament to a true artist.



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Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester

Usually, if a drummer wants to alter the sound of a drum, he’ll change the heads. That can make a dramatic difference to the way a drum sounds. However, many drummers have favorite heads and resist swapping them for those with a different sound and feel.

Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester
Usually, if a drummer wants to alter the sound of a drum, he’ll change the heads. That can make a dramatic difference to the way a drum sounds. However, many drummers have favorite heads and resist swapping them for those with a different sound and feel.

Upgrading the wires under your drum is another effective, if often overlooked method, to improve the sound of your snare. The more wires in contact with the bottom head the drier the drum will be. If you have a very lively or thick metal snare that has too much ring, one way to help tame it is with a wider set of snare wires. The number of wires beneath a snare can also affect the drum tone a bit.

Enter the Back Beat 30 and 42 Snare Wires (models CPSS-BB14 SNP30 and CPSS-BB14 SNPW). These chromed snare wire sets are similar to each other but differ in the number of coiled wires that contact the bottom head. The 42-strand model is about 4” wide compared to the 30-strand model that is an inch narrower.

As you’d expect, the wider wires had a drier sound than the narrower set. So if you have a drum that sounds too lively with standard 20-strand wires, either of these models can help dampen the decay.

I tried these on a couple of different drums. One of my metal snares has a raucous, lively character and long decay was noticeably improved with these wires. I slightly preferred the 30-strand model on my drum, but if yours is livelier than mine, the 42-strand model might work better. However, I liked how the 42-strand model helped dry up some of my drum’s rim shots. It seemed that the brightness of my drum was slightly attenuated, bringing out more of the midrange, making for a fuller and more balanced tone. Best of all, my drum’s seemed to become more sensitive with these wires.

Also, I noticed that if you like your wires to be a little on the loose side, more wires can give a smoother, denser rattle/decay. This can be effective on a power ballad.

I also received sets of the Vintage Wires (CPSL-14NP, CPSL-14DR) and Back Beat Wires) CPSS-14NP, CPSS-14DR) to try out. Frankly, I liked all of these wires on my snares. I put each set on the same drum and all these wires improved the sound over the stock wires that had been on the drum. My drum seemed brighter and crisper with the Canopus wires. If I had to pick one or two for my drum, I’d choose the chrome vintage or chrome backbeat model, since they were a touch brighter than the natural wires in each series. If your drum doesn’t need brightening, the natural finish wires might be a better choice.

When I loosened these wires some, they had a slightly coarser decay than the wider wires mentioned earlier, but were still quite nice.

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Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester

Canopus Snare Wire Cord - Each of these sets of wires came with Canopus Snare Wire Cord (CNC), though if you don’t check the packaging carefully, you might overlook it. These braided cords can be found folded inside the cardboard insert. Be sure to check for it. Otherwise you could accidentally discard it!

Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester
Canopus Snare Wire Cord

Each of these sets of wires came with Canopus Snare Wire Cord (CNC), though if you don’t check the packaging carefully, you might overlook it. These braided cords can be found folded inside the cardboard insert. Be sure to check for it. Otherwise you could accidentally discard it!

This cord did a dependable job of holding the wires in place beneath the drum, and the cord never broke, frayed or loosened during my review. The cord allows the wires to self-adjust a bit when under tension, in case you mistakenly put the wires on at a slight angle.

Canopus Nylon Snare Wire Belt

Many drummers prefer to use fabric ribbon to attach their wires and Canopus has these drummers covered too. They let me try out their Nylon Snare Wire Belt (CNB). Fabric belts are usually preferable to a plastic strap, which can break or tear. The Canopus nylon belt is also better looking than a plastic strip. The belt is black with a pair of red stripes along the edges of it giving it a very sharp look.

A fabric belt attaches through a slot in the wires, and it’s wider than a snare cord, so if it’s inserted at a slight angle, you could apply uneven tension to the wires. But since this strap is woven, there are horizontal weaving marks that came in useful when attaching the wires. It was easy to see if the belt was exactly straight by checking to see if the lines in the belt were perfectly aligned as I put it through the butt plate and throw-off.

It held perfectly and didn’t seem to stretch or loosen at all during testing.

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Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester

Drummers are always struggling to keep their drums in tune. Canopus’ Bolt Tight Washers are handy and very affordable items that you may find useful when gigging. These washers don’t replace the washer on your drum, but are designed to “sandwich” around it, with one Bolt Tight washer below and above your original washer, to help keep your drum from detuning.

Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester
Drummers are always struggling to keep their drums in tune. Canopus’ Bolt Tight Washers are handy and very affordable items that you may find useful when gigging. These washers don’t replace the washer on your drum, but are designed to “sandwich” around it, with one Bolt Tight washer below and above your original washer, to help keep your drum from detuning. These washers have a shiny black side and a duller gray side, and the black side faces towards the rim. These compress a bit when the drum is tuned, and appear apply some opposing force to help hold your drum in tune. On my drum, I didn’t notice it detune during this review. Note that if your drum’s tension rods barely reach the lug, you may need to use one Bolt Tight washer.

Bolt Washers also are designed to help enhance your drum’s tone. I was a little skeptical about their sonic effects before trying them, but I placed a set on a floor tom, and they did seem to help the drum sustain a little more. Nice!

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Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester

If you’re a heavy hitter, Canopus has an inexpensive new product called Red Lock (CTL-4) that’s designed to work along with Bolt Washers to stop your drum from detuning. Playing rim shots repeatedly can cause your tension screws to gradually loosen, making the drum drop in pitch and eventually cause sluggish stick action.

Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester
If you’re a heavy hitter, Canopus has an inexpensive new product called Red Lock (CTL-4) that’s designed to work along with Bolt Washers to stop your drum from detuning. Playing rim shots repeatedly can cause your tension screws to gradually loosen, making the drum drop in pitch and eventually cause sluggish stick action. Installation is quick and painless. Simply slip the tension rod through the rim and thread the Red Lock onto it before screwing it into the lug. Once your drum is tuned, turn the Red Lock so that it applies pressure against the lug. This will keep the tension screw from turning and detuning. The package contains four Red Locks, which are intended to be placed on the lugs nearest you. I put them on my snares closest four lugs and they held my drum in tune. I’m not the world’s loudest drummer, but I appreciated not having to retune my drum between sets. These would be useful for any hard rock or metal drummer who’s tired of tweaking their snare throughout a gig. Of course, they’re affordable so you can use them on every drum on your kit if you like.

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Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester

If you were told there was an inexpensive way to improve the action of your bass drum pedal, you might be a little skeptical. Canopus offers just such a product called the Speed Star Bearing. The product is an add-on bearing/rocker hub that goes between the spring assembly and the pedal. By adding another set of bearings at that point, the Speed Star Bearing reduces the friction between those two parts, increasing the smoothness of your pedal’s action.

Brad Schlueter / writer, reviewer or product tester
If you were told there was an inexpensive way to improve the action of your bass drum pedal, you might be a little skeptical. Canopus offers just such a product called the Speed Star Bearing. The product is an add-on bearing/rocker hub that goes between the spring assembly and the pedal. By adding another set of bearings at that point, the Speed Star Bearing reduces the friction between those two parts, increasing the smoothness of your pedal’s action.

I was able to test it out on a pair of pedals. Note that there different models of Speed Star bearings for specific pedals, so you’ll need to check which model fits on yours. On my Iron Cobras, installation of the bearing (SS-900 IC) was easy. There’s a simple set of instructions with photos to make the process quick. It took just a few minutes to install the unit. My IC’s already felt good to play and are in great shape overall, so I wasn’t expecting to see much difference.

Before the installation of the Speed Star Bearings, when using my finger to pull the beater parallel with the floor and release it, my Iron Cobra would move forward and backward about 16 times on average. After the installation of the bearing it increased to 17-19 times. So the unit seemed to improve the response somewhere between 6% and 18.75%. If you play bass drum intensive music, like metal, that can be significant. All my pedals are relatively new and all are of high quality, but if you’re playing an older pedal that has seen better days or an inexpensive bass drum pedal, you could expect even greater improvement than what I found.

I also experimented and received similar results when using the model designed for my Pearl Eliminator pedal.
If you’ve thought of getting new pedal the Speed Star Bearing might save you the expense of upgrading to a new pedal.
If like your current ones, but want to get a little more out of them, these might be just the thing to help. Best of all they’re a very affordable upgrade that improves the ease with which you play.

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Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer

Product Close-Up Canopus Yaiba II Maple, Yaiba II Birch, and Black-Nickel Brass Snares

Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer
Product Close-Up
Canopus Yaiba II Maple, Yaiba II Birch, and Black-Nickel Brass Snares

A trio of top-notch drums to cover all your bases.

Canopus is one of the premier boutique drum manufacturers in Japan, specializing in reinventing classic designs from the past and refining contemporary drum construction methods. The Yaiba II series is the company’s foray into a more affordable price point and includes a limited but practical range of professional-grade maple and birch drumsets and snares. We were sent 6.5×14 6-ply maple and birch Yaiba II snares to review ($350 each), as well as a sleek 6.5×14 black-nickel brass ($724.07) with Canopus’s new thirty-strand Back Beat wires ($50). Let’s check them out.

Michael Dawson



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Mike Baird
Special Review from Mike Baird

All the wires are much better than stock or standard wires; it then comes down to the drum the player and the gig. For me I really like the vintage wires especially the Vintage NP because it has everything and would fit any tuning range. But there are certain drums I would use the Vintage Brass for recordings or gigs where I really need that extra body.

Mike Baird
Special Review from Mike Baird
EVALUATION OF CANOPUS SNARE WIRES
SEPT 14 2013 BY MIKE BAIRD

Let me start out by saying that from one drum to the next it was very difficult to find what would be a normal wood or metal drum (ply, steam bent, what type of wood etc.) metal brass, steel etc. But I did pick a few drums to get a general consensus this is what I used.

METAL DRUS USED

DW chrome over steel 61⁄2 X 14 a Tama chrome over steel 3x13 piccolo and a DW copper 61⁄2 X 14.

WOOD DRUMS USED
For wood we used early 80’s DW Craviotto 61⁄2 x 14 maple steam bent and a Tama 5x14 maple ply and a 3x13 piccolo ply drum.

BACK BEAT WIRES ON METAL DRUMS


BACK BEAT CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14NP)
Really crisp top end but not as warm as the DR and more overtones. The NP wires have a lower pitch compared to the Back Beat DR, which seemed like it would be just the opposite because of it being NP. More body then stock wires.

BACK BEAT NON PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14DR)
Fewer overtones, more top then the NP wires but dark but better body than regular stock wires.

Synopsis
Back Beat Wires really come alive in higher drum tunings the NP are more suited to club or live situations where drums ARE NOT mic’ed. Back Beat DR not as bright as the NP but still bright just more warmth and fatness but very dark.

VINTAGE WIRES ON METAL DRUMS


VINTAGE CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14NP, CPSL-13NP)
Good top end, good bite not sharp like Back beat and adds a very nice fat sound. Over all my favorite for studio and concert setting.

VINTAGE NON PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14DR, CPSL-13DR)
Vintage DR wires have a good top end and very good lower midrange, and dark but not as dark as the Back Beats DR. This wire I feel would shine on a vintage WFL or older vintage metal drum like that. Lots of body for Ballads, blues etc.

Synopsis
Both Vintage wires work great on all metal drums.

BACK BEAT WIRES ON WOOD DRUMS


BACK BEAT CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14NP)
A little nasal sounding better suited for higher tunings good for orchestral or jazz type finesse music or where playing definition is needed.

BACK BEAT NON PLATED WIRES (CPSS-BB14DR)
On wood drums the Back Beats DR work better than metal. Nice top end and body.

VINTAGE WIRES ON WOOD DRUMS


VINTAGE CHROME PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14NP, CPSL-13NP)
These have everything, sweet top end very good midrange and body. Not as much body as the Vintage DR but makes up for with everything else.

VINTAGE NON PLATED WIRES (CPSL-14DR, CPSL-13DR)
More meat or body and not as crisp as the Vintage NP, very good.

Synopsis
Turning high or low with both of the vintage wires work great. Sensivity is very good as well.

Summary


All the wires are much better than stock or standard wires; it then comes down to the drum the player and the gig. For me I really like the vintage wires especially the Vintage NP because it has everything and would fit any tuning range. But there are certain drums I would use the Vintage Brass for recordings or gigs where I really need that extra body.

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Batteur Magazine
Batteur Magazine (France) / dec. 2008

La marque Canopus a reussi a trouver le son ideal de la batterie jazz en s'insprirant du cahier des charges des meilleures marques des annees 60. Une reussite impressionnante!

Batteur Magazine
Batteur Magazine (France) / dec. 2008
Batteur Magazine (France)
Batteur Magazine (France)

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Drums & Percussion Magazine
Drums & Percussion Magazine (Germany) / May, 2008

Damit stehen dem Drummer mit den Canopus Teppichen vier unterschiedliche Sounds zur Verfugung, wobei die Teppiche einem hohen Standard erfullen und jede Snaredrum dementsprechend aufwerten durften.

Drums & Percussion Magazine
Drums & Percussion Magazine (Germany) / May, 2008
Drums & Percussion Magazine

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Down Beat Magazine
Down Beat Magazine (November ,2014)

Canopus, a Japanese drum company that has been around for decades, is known for its superior craftsmanship and offerings in the high-end market. The company's New YAIBA line intends to take that knowledge and, with some minor modifications, come up with a series of drums in the mid-tier price range.

Down Beat Magazine
Down Beat Magazine (November ,2014)
Down Beat Magazine

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Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer Magazine (December ,2014)

We reviewed the original Yaiba Bop and Rock series drumsets from Canopus in the August 2010 and May 2011 issues and were thoroughly impressed with their clear, musical, versatile sounds and ultraprecise construction. The series was conceived to offer a more affordable option than the company’s flagship lines, without sacrificing strength and performance.

Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer Magazine (December ,2014)
Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer Review

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no so modern drummer
no so modern drummer

I've known about Canopus's high quality drums for a long time, having played one of their unique Zelkova wood one piece barrel shaped snare drums in my drum shop in the 2000s, and sold their accessories. I heard my first Canopus drum set at a NAMM show around 2006. The very small bass drum on that kit sounded huge and attracted a lot of attention.

no so modern drummer
no so modern drummer
I've known about Canopus's high quality drums for a long time, having played one of their unique Zelkova wood one piece barrel shaped snare drums in my drum shop in the 2000s, and sold their accessories. I heard my first Canopus drum set at a NAMM show around 2006. The very small bass drum on that kit sounded huge and attracted a lot of attention.

I had high expectations of these Yaiba drums before they even came out of the box. The Yaiba line has been around for three or four years and this is their new revised kit – revised for lower price but not lower quality. Both sets list for $1500 which is quite a price drop from the original Yaiba kits.

Canopus's drums and sets have never been cheap because they don’t make any cheap drums. This new Yaiba set is their first set that I think puts their sets within reach of the amateur or working drummer who wants to afford a very high quality drum set at a mid-line price. To achieve this price point on an already existing line, Canopus says that they adopted a different approach to the shell construction, heads and hardware from the original Yaiba kits. They also switched from nitrocellulose lacquer to a standard type of lacquer that reduced the time of the drying process and shortened their overall production time and cost. The new models also come in many color choices – Yaiba gray sparkle lacquer, dark red sparkle lacquer, ebony lacquer, and matte white lacquer.

The word Yaiba means 'Japanese Sword' by the way.

Yaiba Groove Kit


The Groove Kit sizes are very standard five piece sizes ; 18x 22 bass, 8×10 and 8x 12 toms, 16×16 floor tom, and a 6.5 x 14 snare drum. The shells of the Groove Kit are birch and have a nice punchy attack with a healthy underlying low end. This kit is aimed at the rock, funk, pop, fusion and modern country player who needs a kit that can deliver substantial volume with great tone.

My impressions upon inspecting them:

Snare:

Big, fat and rich sound with lots of snap and high end cut
Nice deep snare beds
Canopus vintage snare wires sound great, bearing edges great – tuned right up, very rich fat sound, great snare response from very edge to center
Snare throw off is a Canopus proprietary p85 type that works great and has “Canopus” molded into the side of it, a nice touch the snare drum sounded great at all snare wire tensions; loose, medium , and did not choke out when tightened heavily
The double lug design on the snare is very attractive and clever

Toms:


Very full sounding with lots of distinct cut
Easy to find the sweet spot when tuning
RIMS type holders on the rack toms
Tom mount? The only negative about the whole kit for me – no tom holder on the bass drum or double tom stand. I realize there are a lot of drummers who mount their toms on stands, but a holder on the bass drum for two rack toms is the norm. No mount puts the consumer and dealer in the position of having to have one installed or providing a holder of some kind.

Bass Drum:

Very deep and powerful, punchy
Nice adjustable ratchet spurs
The die cast claws have rubber gaskets that make them line up with the lugs easily and to keep them from gouging the wood hoop, which is finished in the same lacquer finish on the outside

Hardware and Appointments:

No generic hardware on the drums
All proprietary made specifically for or by Canopus
Nice sculpted badge
The logo on the bass drum is very classy
Came stock with Remo UT clear ambassador heads on toms, nice Power Stroke III heads on the bass. Coated anbassador on the snare
Beautiful finish. Great looking gun metal glitter type finish called Yaiba Gray. “Very Sparkly' as Rain Man would say
Canopus' Bolt Tight leather washers included on each tension rod on all drums. Two leather washers with a metal washer in between keeps the tension rod from loosening and also isolates the hoop and bringing out the low end of the shell they work

Performance:

The Yaiba Groove can be summed up in one concise phrase this is a very, very, very, very nice sounding and versatile drum set. This is a high level pro kit at a mid-line price. I would recommend this kit to anyone who is looking to step up to a nice five piece work horse kit with a finish that looks expensive.


Yaiba Bop Kit


The Yaiba Bop set sizes are traditional as well 14 x 18 bass, 8 x 12 and 14 x 14 toms, and a 5.5 x 14 snare. The shells are maple and have the warm and pleasing sound that maple is known for. This kit is aimed at the jazz or small group player, but the bass drum can be tuned quite low and is more full sounding than the average 18” bass drum. It could be substituted for a 20” bass drum easily.

My impressions upon inspecting them:

Snare:

One word; snappy! Most plywood snares sound boxy to me, but this one had a nice bright attack with lots of body and no midrange boxiness.
Snare response is exceptional from the edge of the head to the middle.
Snare wire tension sounded great at loose, medium and tight settings.
Tuning it was easy

Toms:

Warm and big. Nice round notes at high and low tunings.
Plenty of attack and lots of sustains. Nice blend between the two.
Single bass drum mount for the rack tom with ball and socket arm. Yay! Thank you very much.
Rims type suspension mount for the mounted tom.

Bass Drum:

This is the biggest reason to buy this drum set. Canopus’s 18” bass drums are known for their big, deep sound. I don’t know what they are doing to achieve this, but they are in a class by themselves.
Fitted with ratchet spurs and with matching paint on the hoops.

Appointments and Features:

I already mentioned the bass mounted tom holder.
The red glitter paint finish on this kit is stunning. They call it Dark Red Sparkle. Very classy. Nobody would kick this finish out of bed.
The workmanship on all the hardware and the chrome plating is top notch. There are no compromises in the construction and machining of this instrument.
The heads on this set are all Remo Ambassador coated medium weight heads.

Performance:

The Yaiba Bop set has a great sonority. When we play a small drum set tuned open with no muffling, we want the drums to blend pleasantly in a chord. The Yaiba Bop set, if tuned correctly, achieves this. I tried the toms and bass at very high, medium and low tunings. A very pleasing and sustaining blend was present at all tunings. The dynamic range is wide. No choking out at high volume and nice whispering tones w pianissimo strokes. Definitely a beautiful sounding jazz set that can double as a small setting pop or funk set.

My overall impression and rating of the Yaiba line is a solid ten out of ten. From a construction, features, performance, and visual standpoint, Canopus has delivered a superior top shelf professional instrument in two configurations at a price that is attractive.

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Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Sep. 2000

"Rare beauties from the mysterious East"

Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Sep. 2000
"Rare beauties from the mysterious East"

by Rick Mattingly

Hits



solid one-piece shell promotes drum projection
unusual contour of shell promotes head resonance
6.5x13 offers piccolo highs with deep-shell body



Modern Drummer Review


It wouldn't be surprising if you've never heard of Canopus drums. They're made by a small Japanese manufacturer who is only now breaking into the US market. But Canopus has actually been around for quite a few years, offering a fairly standard selection of traditional-style drumkits --- along with the anything but standard Zelkova snare drum.
The subjects of this review owe more to the tradition of Japanese taiko drums, which are made from hollowed-out logs, than to the Western-style snare drums that we're all familiar with. Canopus Zelkova snare drum shells are bored out of a solid piece of zelkova --- a Japanese hardwood prized for its density and resonance. Because the wood has not been bent, the grain runs vertically instead of horizontally. Additionally, the shells go through various drying processes that take approximately two years.


According to Canopus, this process creates a shell with a 9% moisture content, compared to 12% on typical drum shells.
The result is a snare drum with a wide spread of overtones. With the depth and body one would expect from a wood-shell snare drum, it also has the high-end ring that's more typical of a metal-shell drum --- and that helps the sound project. This was true of all three Canopus snare drums that MD received for review: a 6.5x14, a 6.5x13, and a 4x14.


Modern Drummer Review


Zelkova drums start life as a bored-out section of a tree trunk.


Getting In Shape


The outside of the Canopus shell has a very slight vertical curve to it, making it fatter in the center and slightly thinner at each edge. This allows the head to extend out from the shell slightly, much like the heads on timpani. Such mounting tends to increase a head's resonance. On the inside, the shell has a 7/8" taper at each end, culminating in a thin, smooth bearing edge. At its fattest point in the center, the 6.5" shell is nearly l/2" thick, gradually thinning to about l/4" where the sharp taper on the inside of the shell begins.
The single element of the drum that has a somewhat raw, unfinished look is the air vent. It's simply a hole drilled through the shell. There's no grommet around it, and the logo badge is attached elsewhere on the shell. But the vent doesn't have a particularly unsightly appearance. In fact, it's hardly noticeable at all except close up at certain angles.
The drums are fitted with die-cast rims and classic, double-ended brass tube lugs (with no springs or other parts that can rattle). Each drum has eight lugs attached to the shell with a single screw. Lugs are isolated from the shell by leather washers. Likewise, the tension screws are isolated from the rim by two leather washers with a metal washer sandwiched between them. The snare-release lever is a standard vertical throw-off design. Snare-tension adjustments are located on the butt plate as well as the throw-off. The screws with which the snare unit is attached to the throw-off and butt plate are drumkey operated. The snares themselves are standard spiral wire. The drums came fitted with Remo coated Ambassador batter heads and clear Ambassador snare-side heads.
The drums come finished in a stained gloss over the natural wood (which has a striking grain pattern). This will appeal to some drummers and not to others, but it' s certainly distinctive.

Solid Sound


The integrity of the bearing edges and the rigidity of the die-cast hoops make the Zelkova drums easy to get in tune with themselves. Snare response was excellent: The drums sounded crisp and articulate when cranked up tight, and fat and gutsy when the heads and snares were loosened a bit. Rimshots were bright and powerful.
The 6.5x14 model combined a bright, cutting attack with a warm, full-bodied tone that could work in a wide variety of musical styles. It also had plenty of projection for unmiked settings. The 4x14 version had similar tonal qualities, but the shallower shell gave it a slightly more contained sound with enhanced crispness and response. This would be a good choice for acoustic or softer electric settings, as well as for situations where the drum will be miked.
The 6.5x13 drum was a pleasant surprise. In general, 13" heads work better with shallower shells. A deep snare drum with a small diameter can often sound like a tom-tom with snares. But the Zelkova 6.5x13 produced a clean, high-pitched sound with plenty of body and projection. It would be especially good in live, unmiked situations where you want the high pitch of a piccolo snare drum but need more sheer sound than a 3" or 4" shell can typically deliver.


Modern Drummer Review
Careful shaping on a lathe is followed by many hand-finishing steps.


Modern Drummer Review
The outer surface of the Zelkova shell features a unique curved contour.


Worth A Search


Zelkova snares have been a well-kept secret among top international drummers for several years. In fact, Canopus may have been the first company to offer one-piece, bored-out drums. Whether or not that' s the case, the point is that these drums are not new and trendy. They're well-established, with a deserved reputation among those familiar with them. After playing them myself, I can understand why.
The drums feature unique, Iabor-intensive construction, and they are imported --- so they aren't cheap. But they have a design unlike any other, and they sound terrific. So you definitely get what you pay for.
Canopus drums aren't on the shelves in every local drumshop. But they are available through a few selected dealers across the country or directly from the manufacturer in Japan. The company's web site is canopus.inc.co.jp/, or you can email them at *protected email*.

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Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Jul. 2009

Thin shells provide good resonance Reinforcement rings provide strength baring-edge profiles are matched to drum type to eliminate high-pitched overtones

Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Jul. 2009
Modern Drummer ReviewModern Drummer ReviewModern Drummer Review

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Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Sep. 2006

The authentic vintage sound and appearance of the V-60 kit was balanced by excellent contemporary construction. Canopus drums are hand-made in Japan, so they're not cheap. But their quality rivals that of any high-end drum maker, so you get what you pay for.

Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Sep. 2006
Modern Drummer ReviewModern Drummer Review

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Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Sep. 2005

Canopus is a small campany making custom-quality drums in Japan. Not surprisingly, those drums come at custom-quality, imported-product prices. And at the moment they're only available at a limited number of dealers in the US. But Canopus is working on expending that dealer network, and as they sell more drums, their pricing may come down. But even if it doesn't. I can honestly say that with Canopus drums, you get what you pay for.

Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Sep. 2005
Modern Drummer Review

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Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Jun. 2001

Thin shells provide good resonance Reinforcement rings provide strength baring-edge profiles are matched to drum type to eliminate high-pitched overtones..

Modern Drummer Review
Modern Drummer (USA) / Jun. 2001
Canopus Toms And Bass Drums "Designed To Be Different"

HITS



Thin shells provide good resonance
Reinforcement rings provide strength
Bearing-edge profiles are matched to drum type to eliminate high-pitched overtones

MISSES



Floor toms may be too dry for some tastes

by Rick Mattingly

A short time back I reviewed the solid-shell Zelkova snare drum made by a small Japanese company called Canopus. It was a unique drum in terms of its sound and construction.
Canopus has also offered a variety of metal and ply-shell snares for quite a while. But now the company has entered the US market with toms and bass drums to create complete drumkits.

Modern Drummer Review


Modern Drummer Review



Ring Around The...Drum



In the 1960s and '70s, reinforcement rings in drumshells were the norm (with the exception of Gretsch). But in the 1980s several drum-makers besides Gretsch started offering shells with no reinforcement rings, claiming that a quality drumshell doesn't need them. Pretty soon, reinforcement rings became the exception rather than the rule.
Canopus has taken a fresh look at the situation and decided that reinforcement rings are desirable in toms and bass drums. But the rings they use are quite thin. While they do add strength to the shell where it's most needed, they are also designed to enhance the vibrational capabilities of the shell by addressing a basic conflict in drum-making.
It is generally agreed that the thinner a shell, the more resonance the drum will have and the warmer the tone will be. But if the shell is too thin, the drum won't have the strength it needs to withstand the tension of the heads and to stand up to forceful playing.
Because they use reinforcement rings, Canopus is able to start with a thin shell. From there, they use nine different "formulas" of shell plies + ring plies + ring width to create their eleven tom and bass-drum models.
The rings vary in thickness from 3-ply to 5-ply, increasing the shell thickness at each end of the drums by 60-100%. The rings also vary in width from 1/2" on the smallest rack tom to 1.25" on floor toms and bass drums (except the 12x15 bass drum, on which the ring is only 1" wide). Canopus explains all of this by comparing the shell to a guitar string and the reinforcement ring to a guitar bridge. If you're curious, read all about it at the company's Web site, www.canopusdrums.com.
Modern Drummer Review Size and thickness of reinforcement rings varies with the size of each drum.

The company also matches the bearing edge to the type of drum. Rack toms, floor toms, and bass drums each feature edges with slightly different profiles. According to the company, this is done to control high-pitched overtones so that no muffling is necessary.
This all sounds good in theory, but how do the drums sound to the ears? We'll discuss them by category.

Bass Drums



We received bass drums in all four sizes that Canopus makes. I started with the 15x22 drum, and immediately came to the conclusion that it was everything a bass drum should be. It had plenty of punch, but it also had a warm tone. The sound was dry enough that I didn't feel the need for any additional muffling, yet it had enough resonance and sustain to make it sound rich and full.

Modern Druammer Review

he 15x20 drum was equally impressive. Because of its diameter, it favored a slightly higher pitch, but it still had plenty of bottom. And while it understandably didn't produce quite as much volume as the 22" drum, it had more power than I expected. As such it would probably be the best choice for those needing a drum that's strong enough for rock but that wouldn't overpower pop or even jazz settings.
Having played quite a few jazz gigs over the years, l've heard many 18" bass drums that sound more like large toms. (You might call them "baritone" drums.) But the Canopus 14x18 bass drum got a credible bass sound with good punch and a warm tone. In fact, it compared favorably to some 20" bass drums l've worked with.
If an 18" bass drum is a "baritone," then you'd have to call a 15" bass drum a "tenor." Anyway, that was my take on the Canopus 12x15. Tuning it as low as possible without the heads flapping, I was reminded of the way Elvin Jones tunes his 18" bass drum. l've heard other jazz drummers use similar tunings. So the Canopus 12x15 drum might find favor with drummers who want to keep their "bass" drum above the range of an acoustic bass player.
This drum could also work for those who pad their bass drums so as to get a dry "thud" rather than a "boom." Of course, even a thud has some pitch to it, and there is no way that this drum will ever be mistaken for a 22" or even a 20", On the other hand, it could be quite adequate for triggering applications, and it certainly is easy to carry compared to a traditional bass drum. I'd suggest a drier batter head than an Emperor, though...such as a Pinstripe.

Floor Toms


One of the company's stated goals is to reduce "undesirable" high-pitched overtones by shaping the bearing edge. They've certainly achieved it with the floor toms, although from prior experience with floor toms on which the shell depth is less than the head diameter, l'm not sure all the credit can be given to the bearing edge. Nevertheless, all three drums had a considerably dry sound. But they also had quite a bit of sustain, which you don't always get with such a narrow range of overtones.
Of the three drums, the 12x13 had the best tone, with the 13x14 a close second. But try as I might to tune, the 15x16 remained dry to the point of sounding brittle. This is not the drum for those who like boomy floor toms that sound like you're playing in a bathtub. But for those who prefer a contained sound with strong attack and good sustain, all of the Canopus floor toms are worth investigating.


Rack Toms



Modern Druammer Review

All of the rack toms we reviewed were fitted with RIMS suspension mounts. They shared the basic characteristics of the floor toms in terms of having a dry, focused sound with a lot of sustain. But all four of the rack toms had warmer, rounder tones than any of the floor toms. They also sounded good over a larger pitch range.


All Together Now


When I started playing various combinations of tom-toms and floor toms, I was impressed at how well they all worked together. I've played many kits in which the rack toms sounded fine in their own right, as did the floor toms. But when I started playing "around the kit" patterns, it sounded as if I had changed drumsets when I went from one type of tom to the other. Not so here. Even though the rack toms had slightly richer tonal qualities than the floor toms, the overall sound of the drums was harmonious. Had the floor toms been any "boomier," they would have overpowered the small toms.
If I were only using two toms, I wouldn't match the 6.5x8 rack tom with the 15x16 floor tom, since the optimum pitches for each drum wouldn't make a good match. Nevertheless, in terms of overall timbre, they sounded as if they belonged to the same drumkit. So it would be pretty safe to mix and match sizes to fit one's personal preferences.

Conclusions


Canopus drums feature quality workman-ship, and they are professional in sound and appearance. But they're not just a carbon-copy of all the other drums on the market. What sets them apart is that elusive quality called "personality." The dry sound of Canopus drums won't fit everyone's taste or playing style, but then neither does the K" style of hand-hammered cymbals.
Buddy Rich said that the best thing you can say about any drummer is that he has his own sound. Perhaps that same philosophy should be applied to drums themselves, If you agree, you should check out Canopus drums. They're available through various dealers in the US, and can also be ordered direct from the company's Web site: www,canopusdrums.com.


Drumheads:


18", 20", and 22" bass drums fitted with Remo PowerStroke 3 batter heads with Falam Slam impact pads. 18" and 22" drums fitted with white coated front heads with Canopus logos; 20" drum fitted with smooth black front head, 15" drum fitted with Remo Emperor batter and coated white front head. All toms fitted with Remo white-coated Ambassador heads on both sides.

Shells:


100% American maple
20" and 22" bass drums: 6-ply, 5/32"-thick.
All other drums: 5-ply, 1/4"-thick.

Finishes:


Standard colors: sparkles in red, blue. green, black, silver, gold, and champagne, solid black. Custom colors (10% extra charge): black oyster, white marine sparkle, and black diamond.
Modern Drummer June 2001

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Not So Modern Drummer
Not So Modern Drummer

Not So Modern Drummer
Not So Modern Drummer


I have never been a big user of wider snare wires because most drums do not have a wide enough snare bed to accept them. They can sound incredibly full and rich when used correctly, but if you put a 42 snare strand set of wires on a drum whose bed has a flat spot narrower than the wires, then the drum is going to have excessive snare wire buzz because the end plate will not let the wires sink into the curve of the head created by the bed. They don’t let the snare bed do its job. It’s as simple as that. Most people don’t realize what a snare bed does so they can be frustrated when using wider snares that give more snare sound but also more buzz. I’ve debated this online for years with other drum builders who don’t “get it”. I became aware of it when customers in my drum shop would bring in a drum that they had installed 42 or 30 or even as small as 25 strand wires on and couldn’t get rid of the sympathetic buzzing. After replacing them with a 20 strand wire set the buzz would magically disappear! Why? Because the flat spot was only wide enough to accommodate a 20 strand set, as most drums are. Most drum manufacturers and drum builders just don’t install a bed with a flat spot wide enough to allow those big snare sets to lie uniformly in the curve at the edge of the drum.



The Canopus Black Brass drum that I tested these 30 strand wires on had the perfect width bed for these wires to lie in and respond correctly. It’s nice to see a drum company that understands how this is supposed to work. It was a pleasure to play this drum and hear that big, rich and snappy snare sound coming from underneath. The snares sounded very full and there was minimal snare buzz from other instruments (there’s always going to be some buzz on any snare drum, though. You can’t argue with physics and Mother Nature). The nickel plating is very good. The end plates are very smooth with nice rounded edges on the string and strap holes which will keep them from being cut. The soldering of the wires on the end plate is very uniform. Great new product.




http://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2015/11/2/review-of-canopus-back-beat-30-snare-wires

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Not So Modern Drummer

The overall sound can be described as fat. I know that word is over used but this drum, to me, has the archetypical “fatness” at high, medium and low tunings. When tuned really low the drum has a BIG sound, perfect for fatback drumming. I also tried it with a zero ring at a low tuning to see if it would get that deep, dry seventies sound. And, yes, it did!

Not So Modern Drummer


These people know how to make an impressive sounding and looking drum. When I first took it out of the box I noticed how heavy it was. Well of course it is because it has a thick brass shell and solid brass tube lugs. After tuning it up with the bottom head very tight and the top head medium tight I put it through its paces. I hate to use the obvious comparison, but it does sound very much like the heavy brass Ludwig Black Beauty drums that were made in the seventies, which are sought after. And I think that’s what Canopus was going for since they mentioned it on their website. With eight lugs the drum tunes up nicely and, of course, slightly more resonant than it would be with ten lugs.

The resonance of the drum is very pretty. There was a good amount of head ring which some drummers with less technique might find objectionable, but most pros understand you are supposed hit the blooming thing in the middle of the head, in the dry spot, if you don’t want it to ring. I personally prefer drums that ring out a lot. When hitting the drum off center, the note of the ringing was very pure.

The overall sound can be described as fat. I know that word is over used but this drum, to me, has the archetypical “fatness” at high, medium and low tunings. When tuned really low the drum has a BIG sound, perfect for fatback drumming. I also tried it with a zero ring at a low tuning to see if it would get that deep, dry seventies sound. And, yes, it did!

The snare wire sensitivity from edge to center was perfect, as it has been on every Canopus drum I’ve played. Effortless press rolls in every area of the head.This drum came with the new Back Beat 30 strand wire, which I am reviewing separately.

The Canopus throw off is a very smooth and simple P85 type. Nothing fancy, but easy to adjust and silent.

The 2.3 mm steel hoop and all the other hardware has very high quality chrome.

The tube lugs are elegant, and I noticed they sent an extra one in the box. I guess this is for those who have to learn the hard way not to cross thread the tension rod into the tube, which will strip it out. The tubes have very subtle and rounded stair step pedestal sculpting on their center studs. Classy.

Another feature that sets Canopus apart in the “paying attention to details” department are their leather tension rod washers which make tuning the drum so easy and also keeps the tension rod from slipping and the head going out of tune. Again, simple but effective. All drum companies should use these instead of metal or plastic washers.



http://www.notsomoderndrummer.com/not-so-modern-drummer/2015/11/2/review-of-the-new-canopus-nickel-black-brass-snare-drum

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Donn Bennett
Donn Bennett

The great minds at Canopus drums have re-created one of the most ingenious drum accessories of all time. Their CIM -20 Baseball Bat Inner Muffler picks up where the legendary Ludwig internal “Baseball Bat” muffler left off with a couple really versatile and useful updates. ...

Donn Bennett
Donn Bennett
The great minds at Canopus drums have re-created one of the most ingenious drum accessories of all time. Their CIM -20 Baseball Bat Inner Muffler picks up where the legendary Ludwig internal “Baseball Bat” muffler left off with a couple really versatile and useful updates. ...more

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Comments

Customer testimonial from Mike Sutton

I put the washers on my 1964 Slingerland Artist model snare drum and it really helped reducing an odd overtone series in the drum. The original washers were completely rusted and worn out. These would really help any pre-1970s drum and especially any drum that has nickel plated brass hardware like my drum does.

Ken "K Bo" Biedzynski
Ken “K Bo” Biedzynski

"The RFM kit is tough to beat," says K Bo. "The quality and workmanship is clearly top shelf and the sound capabilities are vast," he continued. K Bo also talked about the aesthetics of his RFM kit: "I have to say that it is rare that someone does not comment on the appearance of my kit and that is a direct reflection on the product that Canopus produces. Knowing the folks at Canopus and seeing them in action, they remind me of a pit crew in racing. They each swiftly and efficiently address a certain element of the drum kit and as a team they are relentless. I don't think the quality of Canopus drums is debatable at all and I know I am not the only one who thinks that.

Don Berman
Don Berman

Since my RFM drums arrived I have played them in a number of different situations, and they have delighted me on each occasion. I need drums that deliver great sound at all dynamic levels and these drums do so. I can sincerely say tnat tney are the finest instruments I have ever played. The set feels to me like it is alive and breathes! I can play it at a light whisper and I get the same quality tone as when I really lay into the drums in louder areas of the music I play. I have never played a drum set that is so responsive, even at very low dynamic levels. After playing the RFM's for a while now, I have witnessed what I read about the way they arer designed and built. The shells are constructed in such a way in such a way that each drum responds and speaks as well as the others. They belong and balance with each other like a family. My RFM's are I all I could ask for. Thank you, Canopus!

Marco Steffiano
Marco Steffiano

This kit is perfect for me. Its big and open. The kick has a lot of punch. and the toms sounded deep. I can feel the old school rock vibe,but it can fit for modern music.

Marco Steffiano
Marco Steffiano

Im using the 14x6,5 mahogany snare. I love it. Its sounded big, deep but has a lot of crack. I usually use a medium low tuning.

Dana Fitzsimons
Dana Fitzsimons

The heart of my kit is this 6.5x14 Neo Vintage NV60-M1 snare in mahogany satin. It delivers everything I love about classic Gretsch snares, but with its lighter solid brass hardware and unique design it has a very musical transparency coupled with tone for days. I’m using the plated vintage snare wires and snare belt on this one. I am knocked out by this drum!

Dana Fitzsimons
Dana Fitzsimons

The kit has arrived and I am knocked out. They open up with the lightest touch and it makes me want to play softer. They are super light in weight but deliver the best of the tone of the great vintage drums - but brought up to date. The attention to detail is amazing. Fit and finish are perfect; bearing edges and stain all perfectly even. They tune easily. The stock heads are exceptional. There’s a transparency to the tone that will make it easier to play and blend with other players. The brass lugs are all class. Under the mics the drums are a dream.

The Hybrid II throne is fantastic - lighter weight, as strong as those heavy thrones we all hate dragging around, and with a natural hemp cover that will be great for long gigs. The Speed Star bearings for pedals are the truth! I’ve played my Camco pedal stock since 1988. When I added the Speed Star bearing, it made my workhorse pedal quieter, more responsive, more efficient, and smoother. Such an easy way to improve your favorite pedal.

Matt Young
Matt Young

The warmth and aesthetic of the Yaiba II Bop Kit are an aural and visual wonder! I'm in love with these drums for their dexterity and the attention to detail they were crafted with. They perform equally well in dead, low, medium, high, and cranked tunings! Plus the Yaiba Gray Sparkle... say no more... I'm very honored to join the Canopus family of artists.

Shay Godwin
Shay Godwin

I have been using Canopus snare wires exclusively for over a decade. Their evenness and crispresponse have no equal in the industry. Do not underestimate the importance
of snare wires on the overall sound of your snare drums!

Shay Godwin
Shay Godwin

I have been using Canopus snare wires exclusively for over a decade. Their evenness and crispresponse have no equal in the industry. Do not underestimate the importance
of snare wires on the overall sound of your snare drums!

Steve Hirsh
Steve Hirsh

My RFM drums are the warmest, most musical drums I've owned, in nearly 50 years of playing. I like to tune my drums high, and the RFM don't lose any of their tone, even at the highest tunings. And the 15" bass drum is about my favorite ever - incredible tone and articulation, and it's easy to haul around.

Max Klots
Max Klots

Bolt Tight washers keep drums in tune and add that velvety tone to the sound.

Max Klots
Max Klots

When I first tried Canopus Speed Star ball bearing with my Yamaha Flying Dragon, I was really impressed! I mean, if you feel an instant improvement in the instrument you've been happily using for the last 15 years, isn't it something?!

Max Klots
Max Klots

Vintage Snare Wire adds crispness, sensitivity, articulation and depth to your snare sound. Truly, a sophisticated wire for knowledgeable players!

Vintage Snare Wire adds crispness, sensitivity, articulation and depth to your snare sound. Truly, a sophisticated wire for knowledgeable players!

Center Staging
Dustin Perle | Drum Dept. Manager (CenterStaging)

The average cymbal stand weighs around 13 lbs, and the Canopus Hybrid weighs only 8 lbs (closer to 7). This hardware is very smart, and very sharp looking. The drum throne is also very classy. Almost feels like an office chair, more than the typical vinyl throne.

Mark Schulman
Mark Schulman

If you need a snare tone that allows you to communicate the subtlety of every ghost note and the huge fat back of every back beat, then you best buy yourself a Canopus Back Beat Snare Wire 30 or 42 for your favorite snare drum!

Mark Schulman
Mark Schulman

If you need a snare tone that allows you to communicate the subtlety of every ghost note and the huge fat back of every back beat, then you best buy yourself a Canopus Back Beat Snare Wire 30 or 42 for your favorite snare drum!

Jimmy Macbride
Jimmy Macbride

Canopus Vintage snare wires will enhance the sound of any snare drum enormously - adding increased depth, sensitivity and dynamic range. I use them on all of my snare drums and cannot recommend them enough.

Jimmy Macbride
Jimmy Macbride

I installed Bolt Tight washers on one of my drums and it improved the sound immensely while also making the drum easier to tune and help keep its tuning.

Armando Luongo
Armando Luongo

I heard the first time the canopus drum kit in 2011 when I went for the first time in NY.
At that time I was looking for a vintage bop kit but finilly I realized that the canopus NV60 M1 sounded exactly the way I was looking for.
This drum kit can "sing"!!!

Antoine Fatout
Antoine Fatout

The Neo Vintage series is amazing, I have been looking for this kind of sound since I was playing music as a kid in France. The touch and the feel is incredible and the drums sing when you play them. I have been even more inspired to play the music I love on this wonderful instrument!

Vlade Guigni
Vlade Guigni

These Drums are just amazing. The tuning range is ridiculous. The Bass Drum has so much attack… The Toms sing! The Snare Drum is my favorite from all my Snare Drum collection. The Neo Vintage NV60-M1 series are the most versatile drums from all the Canopus lines. You can play ANY style with these drums, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Latin, Funk, Gospel, literally anything. As a versatile drummer, this set really meets ALL my needs. I Highly recommend any drummer to get them ASAP!.

Fabio Rojas
Fabio Rojas

I was amazed since the very first song I played with it. Its range blew my mind, as it is very sensitive even using just bare fingers/nails all the way to super loud dynamics with the sticks.

An extremely versatile snare drum, with a vintage sound touch, perfect for any music format.

Steve Davis
Steve Davis

I have endorsed a number of great drums up to this point in my career. I must say that Canopus allows me to play with the nuance that I love to use in the music I play. They are transparent but focused in sound and wonderfully responsive. The attention to detail that these drums are made with rivals anything anywhere! I really love playing Canopus drums and will continue to play them for many years to come. Thank you all at Canopus for my artist endorsement.

Frank Colonnato

I have been playing Canopus Drums for over a decade and they are some of the finest instruments being made.


Frank Colonnato, Long Island Drum Center Nyack
http://longislanddrum.com

Will Hanley
William Hanley

I've enjoyed my ash bop kit for over a year now and never cease to be amazed at the quality and attention to detail; and, as any of my friends and colleagues will tell you, I'm not easily impressed…

Charlie Nicholson
Charlie Nicholson

The 42 and 30 back beat snare wires. I had no idea how much of a difference the snare wires really make. The 32 strand made my snare sound like a firecracker that went off 2 ft from your ear. Made an incredible difference.
Then I put the 42 strand on. And wow. That thing added a completely new sound to my drum that I'd never achieved before. I'm never going to back to the standard snare wire.

Charlie Nicholson
Charlie Nicholson

[CNB]
The nylon snare straps. I've put them on every snare have. I always used the plastic straps and they've always slipped and broke. The straps are extremely durable. Love em.

Charlie Nicholson
Charlie Nicholson

The red locks are brilliant. They work perfectly to keep my snare in tune and leave me not worrying about having to tune in the middle a show.

Charlie Nicholson
Charlie Nicholson

The yaiba kits are great. Great shell construction, perfect finishes with zero overlap. They give me the booming toms that I need with a fat punchy kick, providing the perfect amount of attack and clarity in each hit. These kits are Timeless.

Charlie Nicholson
Charlie Nicholson

The most powerful snare I've ever played. I've finally found what I've been searching for all these years!

Leon Ndugu Chancler
Leon Ndugu Chancler

The back beat snares gives you that crisp vintage snare sound on a vintage drum.It also gives new drums a new uncooked broad snare sound.

Fabian Arends
Fabian Arends

These drums have a great tonal quality. They are easy and perfect to tune and have a warm, rich and punctuate sound. I can use them in a lot of different musical situations and they project very well. Very inspiring instruments!

Fabian Arends
Fabian Arends

Playing this Snaredrum feels great. I am searching for snares with a wide range of dynamics and sensitivity. This Snare Drum provides all these characteristics. In addition to that you can tune it very accurate. From delicate to explosive, everything is possible with this instrument.

Jason Paul Harman Byrne
Jason Paul Harman Byrne (The JB 4, Will Sellenraad)

The Canopus NV60-M1 drums are quickly becoming a legendary, much sought-after drum kit, as more great players discover the beauty, depth and versatility of their sound. There is a reason that world-class jazz artists such as Clarence Penn, Kenny Washingon, Brian Blade, Harvey Mason, Adam Cruz, Eliot Zigmund, Francisco Mela, Matt Slocum, and many others, choose Canopus; these players can play any gear they wish, and they all sit behind a set of Canopus drums, and trust this instrument to represent them on stage and in studios - that tells you all you need to know! The NV60-M1 drums are also the drums of choice for the finest jazz clubs in New York City, including Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke, The Cornelia Street Café and others.

The quality and sound of the NV60-M1 drums is nothing short of phenomenal. They are simply elegant, sophisticated, and just perfect in every way. I tried to find a flaw, whether it be cosmetic or in the sound, and it can’t be done, they are absolutely flawless and truly a dream kit! Playing them is an unmitigated joy and they inspire me to play musically, dynamically and melodically – what more could you ask for from your instrument? These drums are very suited for jazz (with the maple/poplar shells and diecast hoops), and they blend perfectly with other acoustic instruments. They will do whatever you need them to do musically, from a whisper to a roar, and can handle a wide range of tunings. You can tune them up to sound like Max, or tune them low to sound like Philly Joe, it’s your choice.

I couldn’t be prouder to represent this great company, and couldn’t be happier with my new Canopus Drums!

IMEP Yaiba Drum Kit
IMEP • Paris College of Music

Unboxing, tuning and playing the Yaiba is a wonderfull experience. The looks, the colors and the
finishing are amazing, students at IMEP • Paris College of Music are very lucky !
I tried different ways for tuning the sets, and each brought a great result : an excellent drum set !

Howard Ogg
Howard Ogg

"The Yaiba Groove kit from Canopus is a beautifully crafted, all birch shell drum kit that has the warmth and attack that performs well under any venue and any genre of music. It sounds great, feels great, it is THE best drum kit I have ever played." I get compliments all the time from other artist and sound engineers how well this drum kit sounds. Dutch Opperman from Altitude Lighting said about the Canopus Yaiba Groove kit, " This drum kit is a great sounding drum kit, it really punches through the mix and has a great warmth to it." I am very pleased with the Yaiba Groove Drum Kit. Thank you Canopus for making such an outstanding drum kit. I LOVE THIS DRUM KIT!!!!

Eliot Zigmund
Eliot Zigmund

The new drums were great last night, pretty much out of the box. I did a concert with guitarist John Abercrombie, beautiful clear sound to the kit, really lightweight for set up and knock down. This is my new NYC drum set.

Vinny Vinciguerra
Vinny Vinciguerra

I have been hearing good things about the vintage snare wires Canopus makes for a few years....finally I put one on my snare drum. I could not believe how awesome it sounded....it was like getting a new drum! It made my favorite Black Beauty scream "play me"! What a killer sound!
I could not be any happier coming to the Canopus family and help spread the word of their amazing products!

Adell Shavers
Adell Shavers

I have worked in Retail 20 years and have seen alot of drum ideas as well as worked in the production of Music and I have never seen a company that pays such detail as in Sound as Canopus the various snare strands to produce different results the innovation of boring out a shell with such success.

Ryan Hoyle
Ryan Hoyle

After realizing the importance of snare wires in my sound and searching high and low for so many years, I am ecstatic to have finally found my way!
The Backbeat 30 snare wires are perfect. I love the reinforced holes so that you won’t break string and these wires sit perfectly in any snare bed wide enough. The articulation for ghost notes and press rolls is effortless and backbeats are catastrophic! Thank God somebody still cares...Canopus!

Stephen Jude Mills
Stephen Jude Mills

I get the most beautiful tones with Canopus snare wires, hands down. I wouldn't use any other wires.

Rolf Pilve
Rolf Pilve (Stratovarius)

SS-2000EL (on Pearl Elliminator)
Speed star bearing really made a difference on my Pearl Eliminators. I really enjoy the extra smoothness, speed and sensitivity that Speed Star Bearing gives me on my old good Eliminators!

Tutty Moreno
Tutty Moreno (Joyce)

SS-5000 (on DW5000)
“Wow! Speed Star Bearing from Canopus is really a revolution. I tried it and immediately went back to using my DW 5000 pedal, which I had already forgotten about. Once more I would like to congratulate and thank Canopus for that.”

Doc Sweeney Drums
Steve Stecher (Chief Drumsmith of Doc Sweeney Drums)

I recently tested Canopus wires on my custom snare drums. The sound produced by the Vintage Snare and Back Beat Snare Wire 30 was so amazing I decided to start using them on many of my drums.

Matt Kane
Matt Kane

The innovative Canopus Speed Star Bearing
I love my bass drum pedals from the 80s and the innovative Canopus Speed Star made them feel better than ever. Less resistance gives the pedal a free and swinging action that is quiet, smooth, and powerful. The Speed Star made a dramatic difference in the action of my vintage pedals. Canopus continues to re-invent the most subtle of details that enhance the feel, tone and musicality of the drums. Products like the Bolt-Tight washers and the Speed Star Bearing are imaginative improvements that you can feel and hear!

Joe Porcaro
Joe Porcaro

They give me a nice crisp sound.
When you hit the drum there's not too much of spread.
It's a snare drum. -I can really hear snares.

Drum Gear Review
Drum Gear Review

Months ago (too many months ago) when three Canopus boxes landed on my front door, I eagerly tore through the tape and hoisted each drum high into the air as Mufasa did to Simba so many years ago. I was excited. I knew Canopus’ reputation, and I couldn’t wait to check out each drum out because of it....more

Darryl Bonebrake
Darryl Bonebrake / Music Arts Enterprises

I believe that it is the best value in professional handcrafted drums. The Maple Bop kit is a jazz or funk lover's dream, and the Birch Groove kit cuts through today's high-energy music with beautiful sounding tone and power (when needed).

Drum Gear Review
Drum Gear Review

Not long ago, we took a look at the Canopus Yoshihito Eto signature snare drum (go check out the review and watch the video – excellent drum). In that same shipment, the good people at Canopus were nice enough to ship over two drums from their Neo Vintage series. Each of the snares in this series recalls a notable vintage drum design or aesthetic, but updates it with modern appointments. Really, they all seem a little outside the box conceptually – in a cool way.
...more

Mat Hector (Iggy Pop)
Mat Hector (Iggy Pop)

I always used Canopus snares, there's really no other choice if you're serious about making your snare sound as good as it can. With any new snare drum its the first thing I change! My snare drum sound is hugely important when I'm rockin' out with Iggy, and the power, articulation and sharpness I get from Canopus snares is at the heart of my sound.

Lone Star Percussion
Robert Anderson / Lone Star Percussion, TX USA


In a blind test I feel the Groove Kit will stand up to any birch kit out there! Even those costing 2 - 3 times as much. Great low end as well as a superb attack!


The Bop Kit sounds amazing! I don’t think you could find a better set in this price range. The craftsmanship, hardware and lacquer are top notch.

Alphonse Mouzon
Alphonse Mouzon

I love the fat crisp sound of the Canopus NV60-M3 Snare Drum. It also can used for all types of music!

Chad Elrod
Chad Elrod / Seattle Drum School of Music / Recording Artist

I put one on my backup DW 7000 and it doesn't feel like my backup anymore. Plays like a top end pedal! Much needed improvement over factory standard parts, completely night and day! Can't wait to order one for my Pearl Eliminator.

Chad Elrod
Chad Elrod / Seattle Drum School of Music / Recording Artist

Who wouldn't want to add tone to their drum? They work! I'm hearing tones I didn't think my drum could produce. More presence! And the fact that I don't have to constantly retune to keep my drums where I want them is more than a small benefit!

Chad Elrod
Chad Elrod / Seattle Drum School of Music / Recording Artist

I've used other high end custom style snares on a variety of drums and applications but I've found the Vintage Series by Canopus to be considerably more capable and effective. They are nuanced, full, and purposeful in tone. I find them to be instinctive, expressive, and dynamic, which is what the art is all about for me. Masterfully conceived and executed. For the purist.

Keith Carlock
Keith Carlock

The Canopus snare wires bring out the clarity and dynamic range of my grace notes and back beats! Check them out!

Dave Mattacks
Dave Mattacks

the canopus speed star bearing is an excellent product ;
if you're happy with your bass drum pedal , you'll be happier after installation -
it really improves the action & feel .

Billy Martin
Billy Martin

I am always looking for quality light-weight hardware and Canopus really does it right.

Billy Martin
Billy Martin

Canopus has the best snares wires you can find!

Bence Bolygo
Bence Bolygo

The yaiba as the name implies is a master sword instrument. Due to Canopus's intensive research and development program they have created a standard series kit to their portfolio that is versitile for all situations and stands up to being played in any genre from pop to jazz to rock. Canopus based these kit designs on the key components of classic vintage drums going as far as analysing the wood grain and developing a unique bearing edge for each drum to get the best tonality/ resonance physically possible. The tolerance and precision of craftsmanship is second to know to 0.1 of a mm.

These drums in my opinion sing as individuals and serves as the best creative extension of your brain to real tones making inspiring music. Every Time I or anyone whom comes to our facilities plays this kit find the same reality that the yaiba kits, hold a portal between you brain and music that one has never other wise experienced. Making it the only serious choice in today's market if you truly believe in your sound and playing.

Overall 10/10.

Tutty Moreno
Tutty Moreno

In my long relationship with Canopus -since the very first time, when I went to the small old factory and was introduced to Zelkova snare (Canopus' only original product by then, circa 1988) - I've never had the slightest doubt about the quality that came from the ideas (and ideals) of Shinichi Usuda-san, founder and president of the company.

When the first R.F.M. Maple came up, I had the honor of being the first foreign drummer to test it and obtain it. That's a set that I will keep with me for my whole life. The new Yaiba series keeps the high Canopus level standards and was specifically designed to provision the needs of the difficult economic times the whole planet now endures. It is perfect for the kind of music I make (samba-jazz), but it is also perfect for any musical situation. As I use to say: Canopus, no doubt, is the future today.

Jordi Geuens
Jordi Geuens

The Canopus snare wires make a very important difference in sound. My snares have more body & tone and the snare wires themselves give me a sweet & crisp sound! Love them!

Jason Sutter
Jason Sutter

Canopus has changed the game again with their new 30 strand snare wire! My new go to snares, as they provide the body and depth of their 40 strand wire with the snap and unrivaled articulation of the 20s...try them and they will be YOUR new go to snares wires!

Curt Bisquera
Curt Bisquera

It responds with more articulation as well as less sympathetic buzz...from the lightest buzz roll to super thundering back beats, this new 30 Strand Wire will make ALL the difference in your sound and playing. It might be my new favorite!

Albe Bonacci
Albe Bonacci

The new Canopus 30 strand snare wires help me get the perfect balance of shell vs. wire sound. They bridge the gap between the 20 and 42 strand amazingly. With the fat, sensitive, crisp sound I’ ve come to love, without added snare buzz. Beautiful.

Matt Starr
Matt Starr

Canopus 30 and 42 strand wires make my snare drum sound fatter, warmer and just plain better. After using them once, I can never use anything else. They are the best wire in the industry

Brent Lee
Brent Lee

Canopus Snare Wires give me the crisp and sensitive sound I'm looking for. Invest in the best, choose Canopus Snare Wires!

Jotan Afanador
Jotan Afanador (Aventura)

Neo Vintage Snare Drum has a very unique sound and look! It defines its self as one of a kind very powerful, bright but yet warm and sweet very articulate and sensitive from slow to fast at any rang of dynamics and style! It can be any sound you want it to be and beyond. Neo Vantage snare drums is a perfection with a wide tuning range that has unless possibilities. "bringing you the old school vintage sound to the new era"

Dave Johnstone
Dave Johnstone

Canopus wires make my snare drums sound their best. They respond at a full range of dynamics and give an amazing tone. I use these wires on ALL of my snare drums, live and in the studio!

John Morgan
John Morgan

There is a certain sound I have always had in my head and I finally found the drum that can produce it. I have 7 other drum sets but the Canopus NV60-M1 is the only one I play anymore. Superb sound and craftsmanship

Chris Brady (Brady Drums)

We use Canopus Bolt Tight on all our drums because they eliminate detentioning of the heads. Simple & highly effective.

Cooper Acoutin / Acoutin Custom Drums

Canopus Vintage snare wires are very sensitive and articulate allowing our snares to maintain a solid back beat and still provide a nice buzz roll.

Edward Barroetabene
Edward Barroetabene

This Yaiba Bop kit gives you more of what you expect from a Drums of this size, works perfectly if you change the tuning in different styles, is like a chameleon". Jazz, Latin, Funk, Pop, limitless..

Alex Monsoliu
Alex Monsoliu / Jamboree Jazz Club/ Sound engineer

My job is rewarding when the sound of a drum kit responds to all harmonics at any type of dynamic, this makes it very easy and comfortable to use.

Matt Starr

SS-5000 (on DW 5000)

The Speed Star Bearing made and noticeable improvement to the smoothness, speed and consistency throughout the stroke on my DW 5000 pedal. Looking forward to working with it some more!

Ilan
Ilan / Terra Blues

The music at Terra Blues NYC is only served one way; authentic. With its rich sounding snare and deep, punchy bass drum, the Canopus drum kit delivers any blues shuffle beat with bonafide results.

Brian Tichy
Brian Tichy

Canopus makes great snare wire that produces a tight, even and sizzling sound on snare drums! I'm happy knowing Canopus is under mine! But you gotta check out all the other top notch products they have!

Jess Birch (Steve Maxwell NY)

The Speed Star Bearing improved the power and precision of my Camco pedal. It is more responsive and has a smoother action. Thanks Canopus!

Mick Frangou

When I tried out my pedal on my kick drum with the Speed Star bearing I realised the return was significantly faster then with the pedal's original factory fitted bearing, almost too fast.
I like a very light spring tension on my pedals and, at first, it was difficult to get the spring light enough for my technique, but after I adjusted the beater angle slightly this issue was rectified, in fact the tension was lighter then with my original bearing and the fast Speed Star bearing's return was still intact.
My double, triple and 8th and 16th note kick drum strokes are faster and easier to execute with the new bearing.
A great bass drum pedal upgrade.

Anthony Michelli

SS-PBJJ (on Sonor Perfect Balance)
I just installed Canopus' Speed Star Bearing on my Sonor Perfect Balance pedal. It makes this already amazing pedal even smoother, faster and effortless to play on. Excellent!

Joseph Gardiner-Lowe / John Henry's Ltd

Within this industry, there is always the latest invention that will change the drumming world.. personally, the speed Star bearing sings true to this!

Michael Rose / Center Staging

I normally play a Dw 9000 as my main pedal and I use a Dw 5000 as my back up. I have never liked the action of my 5000, it was always stiff and hard to play. I installed the Speed Star Bearing in my 5000 pedal and immediately noticed increased speed, smoothness and action that it never had before! I now like this pedal as much as my main 9000, i'm able to play the most complex patterns and am able to dig out parts I never was able to before with this pedal thanks to the Speed Star Bearing!

Joey Klaparda / SIR Las Vegas

So smooth, So fast, and So slick. Happy feet again!

Mike Baird

SS-5000 (on DW5000)
The Speed Star Bearing is a must for anyone using a DW 5000 pedal. The improvement in feel and response is huge. WOW!

Leon Ndugu Chancler

The Canopus speed star bearing smooths out the motion of the bass drum pedal so it feels effortless.

Ulysses Owens Jr.

SS-9500 (on YAMAHA PEDAL)

The Speed Star is such a simple yet complex mechanism that can transform your pedal from ordinary to extraordinary, aiding you in being able to have more facility musically on the instrument.

Andrew Dickeson
Andrew Dickson

I SERIOUSLY recommend all drummers check out the Speed Star Bearing. I've had one on my Pearl Eliminator for the last month - the improvement is AMAZING!
The pedal, which already felt good, was instantly smoother and easier to play. I can play faster and with more control and sensitivity.
It's hard to believe such a small change, which is so simple to do, would make such a profound difference.

Shane Kinney (Drum Center of Portsmouth)

Bicyclists, car enthusiasts, and many others enhance their stock gear with performance enhancing parts. Canopus has brought that to bass drum pedals.
The Speed Star bearing will make your stock pedal fly!

Ian Croft (Editor of iDrum Magazine)

I fitted the Speed Bearing to my Yamaha FP570 and it has made a remarkable difference to both the action and the response - far beyond my expectations I should add.

Michael Tocker (Daddy's Junky Music)

I am old school and generally don't go for new fangled drum and hardware gadgets. The Canopus Speed Star Bearing is very cool though, After a few minutes of easy installation, my reliable DW 5000 Pedal was magically transformed into a very smooth and fast pedal. The feel is changed greatly as there is more consistency in the back and forth foot-board and beater motion. Some might even say that it plays like butter. This seemingly small attachment, makes a big difference.

Jim Rupp (Columbus Percussion)

The Canopus Speed Star Bearing took my classic, reliable DW pedal and made it even better. One simple to install part took a great feeling pedal, and made it even smoother and faster. I was amazed at the difference.

Dana Bentley (Bentley's Drum Shop)

Speed Star bearing is smother and faster than the factory one.

Hong (Chanutr Techatana-nan)

I tried my DW6000 pedal with new bearing tonight at my gig, the action was so smooth with more speed yet still provide very natural response. I'm very happy with this:)

John Ferraro

SS-5000 (on DW 5000)
I love the speed star bearing on my DW pedal, it is a much smoother feel with power and control, A MUST HAVE, ENJOY.

Jotan Afanador (Aventura)

SS-5000 (on DW5000)
Smooth Action & Powerful Lighting Speed

Carmine Appice

SS-5000 (on DW 5000)
It is smooth with good fast action..very cool,

Matt Starr

I just played Budokan last night & for the first time my snare drum stayed in tune thanks to Red Lock! They are indeed an "Iron Wall".

Pipo Teixeira

I've just opened one package of BT-40 for me with the red locks and used them and I'm really amazed!! What an amazing product!! I always had some problems with the two screws that are on each side of my bassdrum where the pedal attaches. Well, I used the two red lock on each screw and YES, no more problems this last two shows I've had!

Matt Starr

Bolt Tight has opened up my snare drum SO much, it was a big surprise. I can't wait to try them on my toms!

Jess Birch (Steve Maxwell NY)

Bolt Tight is one of my favorite Canopus products. It adds depth Eliot Zigmund
aand tone to my drums. Tuning is smoother and more accurate. Its also a great upgrade for vintage drums.

Eric White (SIR New York)

Bolt Tight washers are a brilliant addition to any drum. They create an almost hydraulic feel to the tension rods and make tuning the drums a pleasure. Bolt Tight = good stuff.

Uli Frost

If you like a solution for a great drum tuning, then use Canopus Bolt Tight.

Mick Frangou
Mick Frangou

When I tried out my pedal on my kick drum with the Speed Star bearing I realised the return was significantly faster than with the pedal's original factory fitted bearing, almost too fast.
I like a very light spring tension on my pedals and, at first, it was difficult to get the spring light enough for my technique, but after I adjusted the beater angle slightly this issue was rectified, in fact the tension was lighter then with my original bearing and the fast Speed Star bearing's return was still intact.
My double, triple and 8th and 16th note kick drum strokes are faster and easier to execute with the new bearing.
A great bass drum pedal upgrade.

Anthony Michelli
Anthony Michelli

I just installed Canopus' Speed Star Bearing on my Sonor Perfect Balance pedal. It makes this already amazing pedal even smoother, faster and effortless to play on. Excellent!

Sean / Boston Drum Center, MA USA
Sean / Boston Drum Center, MA USA

It looks and sounds great and the price is very reasonable.

Alphonse Mouzon
Alphonse Mouzon

CANOPUS R.F.M drum kit are the best drums that I’ve ever played thus far! Their strengths are in the design, quality and exceptional sound!! It doesn't matter if I’m playing a “live” concert or recording in the studio, the impeccable steady tone, sound and crispness of CANOPUS DRUMS comes through for me, and is incomparable to all of other drums on the market! I will not settle for less than CANOPUS DRUMS!

Pheeroan akLaff
Pheeroan akLaff

Birch is my favorite wood for the American Drum-set. It's projection can respond to 20th Century instruments and it's resonance is mellow enough to blend with ancient instruments. The Canopus artisans bring out the most musical resonance in birch I have heard.

David Sleishman
David Sleishman (Sleishman Drums)

Bolt Tight is a great product. We find it really keeps drums in tune whilst still allowing you to tension any bolt at any time

Paul Jonason
Paul Jonason

Bolt Tight will improve the ease of tuning and sound of any drum plus eep your tension rods tihts.

Clarence Penn
Clarence Penn (Makoto Ozone)

If you want the warmest sound for your snare, you got to get the Canopus Bolt Tight. For the most sensitivity, Bolt Tights are the one.

Carmine Appice
Carmine Appice

These really do work.. the lugs do not losen up.. the drum stays in tune... they are great!!

Jonathon Peretz
Jonathon Peretz

Strong but not too heavy. Definitely lighter than stands of equal size and strength. Very easy to adjust and tighten.

Ian Froman
Ian Froman

The stands are great - so light - but so sturdy

Dean Schweiger
Dean Schweiger

I have been using all Canopus hardware for years and can not speak highly enough about how well they have served me on my tour. At almost every show I receive high praise, comments, and questions on the Canopus hardware I use in my set up.

Tutty Moreno
Tutty Moreno(Joyce)

For a drummer who travels and tours all the time, it's great and comfortable to have hardware as light as this. Canopus made this with real grace, a beautiful design and functionality. I can definitely say that Canopus is the future-today.

Matt Starr
Matt Starr

Canopus snares have dramatically improved the sound of my snare drum. Warmer, fatter & more clarity.

Lee Ruff
Lee Ruff

Your line of snare wires is absolutely great. It's quite obvious that you have done extensive experimenting in the development of your line of snare wires. I can remember when I was touring back in the 60s, how snare wires were designed. Many drummers today still put the "old" wires on a "new" snare drum from any of the drum companies. Those old wires, if you can find them in usable condition, can sweeten up just about any snare drum. For years I have been looking for fresh, new wires that have those same qualities. Your company has answered that calling. Your "Vintage" wires are even better than those old 60s wires. The thin end pieces and wire with just the right number of coils per inch and tension, are simply the best I've ever heard. I love your unplated, "Vintage" snares for acoustic jazz. Your "Backbeat" wires are equally impressive to me, when playing funky rock, soul, jazz fusion or big band. Congratulations to your company for a job well done!

Fred Dinkins
Fred Dinkins

Canopus snare wires are the best! They allow you to execute dynamics with ease. You can hear the smallest ghost notes and eliminate unwanted snare chatter because of the extreme sensitivity that you get from the snare wires

Jason Sutter
Jason Sutter

Canopus Vintage Snare wires have changed my snare drum sound in ways I never thought possible; More tone, sensitivity and volume! You wont believe what you have been missing!

Mike Baird
Mike Baird

Let me start out by saying that from one drum to the next it was very difficult to find what would be a normal wood or metal drum (ply, steam bent, what type of wood etc.) metal brass, steel etc. But I did pick a few drums to get a general consensus this is what I used.

Martin Kleibl
Martin Kleibl

The Canopus Vintage Snare Wire will change the sound of your snare drum immediately. If you are looking for the warm and full sound from your snare, try it!

Leon Ndugu Chancler
Leon Ndugu Chancler

Canopus snare wires are like customizing your snare drum to get you exactly what you need.
I use Canopus snare wire to get to the sound I hear in my head.
Canopus products make it easier to do what I do.

Terry Gargulio
Terry Gargulio

These snare wires are great the snap and pop are like no other you have to try them there the best !

Ralph Petrossino (SIR, New York)

I have been involved with drums for 25 years and have been a drum tech for some of the best drummers in the world. So, I have a good ear for this kind of thing.
Canopus Snare Wire sounds great and the snare beds are very responsive. They are holding up very well in our rehearsal room and gets lots of compliments on the sound quality.

James Ivers (SIR, Miami)

The difference in sound and tone is noticeable. The snares seem to bring out the mid range and low frequencies otherwise dormant in the snares we have modified with your snare wires.

Jeff Chonis
Jeff Chonis (Drum Paradise, LA)

thas a fat warm sound.

Herry McCarthy
Herry McCarthy (Drum Paradise, Nashville)

They lay on the snare bed just right and it enables versatility with sensitivity.

Eric Bilger (Allied Music)

Canopus Snare Wire have quality and performance which is un matches by any production Snare Wire Product. Their design features materials quality and perfection in manufacturing is obvious.
The crispness, dynamic range and clarity they offer would be welcome by any drummer hoping to derive a new special sound from this favorite snare drum.
The selection of snare wires available also ensures that Canopus has a snare wire appropriate for any drummer regardless of the type of music he plays.

Donn Bennett (Dann Bennett Drum Studio)

The Canopus snare wires sound great!! They dramatically increase sensitivity and decrease snare buzz. That's a winning combination!!

Paul Jonason
Paul Jonason

Great warm and sensitive sounding wires.
The fullest sound with least amount of unwanted overtones. By far the best wires for any drum.

Uli Frost

A great Snare sound with a Canopus snare wire belt!

Denny Seiwell
Denny Seiwell

They sound great -quite an improvement!

Gary Gauger (Inventer of Rims)

Refind sensitivity very sensitive.

Bob Hersen (Paul Batterfield, John Patitucci)

They are great sounding snares with a warmer, deeper, richer tone.

Michael Lauren

The snare wire seems quite durable and obviously has much to do with the way the snare responds.

Ron Powell
Ron Powell

I'm always looking for extremes, in sounds. The Canopus Snare wires, give the most and purist snare sound. They are great.

Neal Sausen

own several sets of Canopus Snappy Snare Wires and have found them to be the MOST SENSITIVE, BRIGHT, CLEAN, (and most important!) musical snare wires I have ever owned!
Great on Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum. THE BEST Canopus Snare Wires.

Steve Murphy
Steve Murphy

The Canopus Vintage Snare Wire is always pure and crisp with the perfect amount of warmth and amazing response.
It makes recording snare drums pleasure. Also incredible live clarity.

Albe Bonacci
Albe Bonacci

Fat, sensitive, smooth, there on all my snare drums this is a great all around company.

Henry Newmark

These are the closest to the old Slingerland Snare Wires which were the very best sounding.

Franky dee
Franky dee (Legend of Country Drummer, George Benson)

They are very responsive, crisp even tensioned. These are very sturdy wires and good in all musical situations.

Ian Froman
Ian Froman (Metalwood)

Vintage Snare Wires ; gold series gives a nice warm sound while the silver is brighter.

Adam Nussbaum
Adam Nussbaum

The new Canopus Snare Wire will make any snare drum more responsive and user-friendly.

Tutty Moreno
Tutty Moreno (JOYCE)

It gets difficult to get back to use the other ones.

Alphonse Mouzon
Alphonse Mouzon

Canopus Snare Wires are amazing and very unique! They make my snare drum sound more clean and crisp than before -just the way I like it!

Clarence Penn
Clarence Penn

It's the most sensitive wire on the
market so if you need sensitivity,
this is the one to have. I use them
on every recording I do.

Bill Stewart
Bill Stewart

Canopus Vinatge snare wire improved sound to my any snare drums.Warm and Crisp !!

Steve Murphy
Steve Murphy (Alan Persons)

The Canopus Vintage Snare Wire is always pure and crisp with the perfect amount of warmth and amazing response. It makes recording snare drums pleasure. Also incredible live clarity.

Tris Imboden (Chicago)

My Snare drum arsenal rocks with Canopus Vintage Snare Wires.

Zoro
Zoro

Truly diggin' my Vintage Snare Wires.

Carmine Appice

Canopus Snare Wires Pro's Tools.

Bob Delich
Bob Delich

I've reviewed all my options and I discovered that my Canopus 6.5x14 Ash Snare Drum has the capacity to deliver the most versatile expressive range for any style of music.

Antonio Loureiro
Antonio Loureiro

You can't compare Zelkova with anything! Its a complete snare. Completely versatile. I love when you have that beautiful snare wire sound even when you play pianissimo. Its the best snare i will ever have.

Tupac Mantilla
Tupac Mantilla

As someone that has emerged from the classical school into the contemporary Jazz, Rock and World percussion/music scene, and after searching for decades, I can say without a doubt that the Canopus Zelkova is the most responsive and versatile snare drum of them all. Its body, warmth and clarity surpass any expectation in any musical context and genre. Moreover, it has a fascinating way to blend to your own voice while enhancing it. It’s pretty much alive! Thanks Canopus for creating it!

Rainer Güntensperger
Rainer Güntensperger (GÜNTENSPERGER)

I have had many of the very best snare drums in the world going through my hands, but your Zelkova is the by far best of them all. A absolute unique blend of sound consisting both, wooden warmth in the deep and the bite of steel in the high. Great and unmatched!

René Marx
René Marx

the zelkova is simply stunning! I have a Slingerland 14x6 Radioking SD which is very smooth, sensitive and delicate. The Zelkova has all the attributes of sought-after vintagedrums too but it´s also more powerfulI. And on top it inherits this special japanese tradition of the taiko-drumconstruction. That makes it a very unique instrument. It makes me play more stuff on the snaredrum in any kind of groove or solosituation because it sounds so beautiful.

Andrea Valentini
Andrea Valentini

GREAT RESPONSE, FAT YET VERY SENSITIVE AT THE SAME TIME.

Ian Froman
Ian Froman(METAL WOOD)

“I like the Zelkova snare drum because it is warm, dark and sensitive. A truly exceptional drum !”

Brian Blade
Brian Blade

The ZELKOVA snare drum has a beautiful tone and a clear responsiveness that speaks in all dynamic ranges. It is the perfect instrument for any musical situation.

Stewart Jean
Stewart Jean / Musicians Institute Hollywood, Program Chair

As Chair for the Drum Program at Musicians Institute I must be sure to provide only the highest quality equipment to our students. I have found that quality in the new Yaiba series from Canopus. They are the best drums in their class.

Peter Retzlaff
Peter Retzlaff / The Collective School of Music, Faculty

The YAIBA drums are a great addition to the Canopus drum line. Both the jazz and groove drums look and sound great, and they are priced very competitively. I highly recommend these drums to anyone who wants great drums at a great price.

Shane Kinney
Shane Kinney / Drum Center of Portsmouth, NH USA

I think that this is the best sounding kit compared to other kits in this price range.

Marvin Khoo
Marvin Khoo / Music Gear, Singapore

The finishing on the New Yaiba is very nice for an econimical drum set.

Terry Garguilo
Terry Garguilo

The best kit I have played. rock club. theater. or auditorium the great look and sound never let you down. top shelf drums.

Jotan Afanador (Aventura)
Jotan Afanador (Aventura)

The Sword kit is my all around compact drum kit. Cutting through all styles and music situations from vintage to todayʼs modern music with such power and a dynamic range.
Its Great look and sound are definitely, without a doubt, a master piece. Such a pride!

Paul Jonason
Paul Jonason

The Mahogany drums sound amazing with the band, the other musicians were surprised at the full sound coming out of this small drum set. The toms are tuned high but still sound full and rich. The 18" bass drum is tuned low and boomy, the snare is tuned high but still very responsive with a fat crack when you lay into it. Overall the drums have a very warm, woody sound. I feel I can get a jazz and rock sound out of this small kit by simply changing my touch.

Robert Delich
Robert Delich

In all my years of playing, I've played just about every drum brand name imaginable. Undoubtedly, Canopus Drums are exactly the sound I've been looking for. Above and beyond their great design, Canopus quality engineering and craftsmanship has developed and produced a clear, clean, and projecting sound that puts Canopus in a league of their own. The name Canopus is truly a rising star.

Steve Rubin
Steve Rubin

I have the great fortune to now play a set of Canopus NV-M1 drums.
This is a wonderful musical instrument.
As a lifetime (40+ years) of owning Gretsch, and having studied with Mel Lewis , we know what they used. Had Canopus been on the scene back then I have no doubt that it would have been defined as the quintessential jazz drum kit. While the NV-M1 is promoted as a jazz players drums, I find as someone that plays other styles that the kit is far more versatile .
The snare drum is magnificent, warm, but dynamic when needed. The 18" bass drum can tune up high for that jazz sound or tuned down with a touch of muffle to give you some funk when you need it.
The toms are open and warm or tight and "Brian Blade like" as you need . What occurred to me during my first gig with them was that I was playing a high quality musical instrument. And while we all know that what you play is what matters most, having a quality instrument to make your statement can go a long way.
Oh and yes, visually it's a classy high end looking set of drums.

Eliot Zigmund
Eliot Zigmund

There is a comparison to the old Gretsch, but like comparing a 1958 Maserati to a 2012 Maserati.
The nice rounded, clear, but flat, not much ring, die cast sound is there, but the Canopus drums are just so much easier to play and the sound projects so well.
Also, they sound and feel consistent in many acoustic settings and have a more versatile tuning range, which was a big problem for all the older drums especially Gretsch.
The older 18" Gretsch bass drums (and all the others Ludwig, Sling, etc) were not easy to tune in different acoustic settings. Medium to loose tunings did not produce great bass response or resonance, the 18's sounded best tuned pretty high, young Tony Williams. Some nights they sounded great and then you'd go to another gig and they'd sound terrible, no resonance.
The 14x20's were easier to get a consistent sound out of. The 18" NV Canopus is amazing for depth of bass sound, much different than old American companies, hard to believe it's only an 18".

Abe Lagrimas Jr.
Abe Lagrimas Jr.

It's easy to play, easy to tune, and it really helps me express myself at my highest musical level. I look forward to playing them for many years to come.

Tutty Moreno(Joyce)
Tutty Moreno(Joyce)

The new Canopus set (Neo-Vintage series NV60-M1) is really a dream come true. It's the sound every drummer has inside his or her mind. but that's so hard to finde. I am sure that it will make drummers around the world feel like crying for joy!

Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller

Drummers often look for that perfect sounding kit; however, it’s more important to find the kit that best fits within the ensemble and the overall ‘sound’ of a band. I’m very happy with the Ash drum and how it’s versatility allows us to take the music in different directions.

Louis Cato
Louis Cato

I tend to like a more ‘old school’ sound from my drums. My idea of the perfect kit is one that combines a punchy attack with a meaty tone, and these drums deliver that consistently.

Tutty Moreno(Joyce)
Tutty Moreno(Joyce)

When I was very young, I enjoyed listening to the Blue Note jazz albums.
The great drummers of the era, my heroes, sounded so wonderful. When I grew up, I always looked for an instrument that would sound as great as theirs.
Now, I can finally say that there is an instrument with that great sound, but with a unique personality.
That great sound and much more! I am proud and happy for me and for Canopus.

Danny Salerno from NY, USA

They are the best sounding and well made drums I have ever played. Love the bitter brown oiled finish.

Roger Turner
Roger Turner

The club kit has all the tonal clarity and authority you could wish for throughout the pitch range, and the drums are made with the attention to detail and shell innovation that makes canopus such a great company.

Mike Rose / Center Staging
Mike Rose / Center Staging

When we opened the boxes of our new Canopus drum kit, I was blown away by the craftsmanship and high quality of the materials.
Once we set them up and played them, we were in heaven!
The drums sound amazing and are absolutely beautiful and a pleasure to play!
We are all in love with these drums!!!!!!

Matt Kane
Matt Kane

I have been using my new Canopus Club Kit around New York a lot. I want to share a story with you: One night, I played a brazilian gig and they said to bring a small kit. I brought the Club Kit. They wanted very high volume and high energy samba all night long and there was no bass player. The bass drum on the club kit sounded so amazing!! It filled the room with tone and I did not miss the bass player. The bounce from the 15" bass drum is so nice, I did not have to work hard to make a big sound and the band loved it, too! After the gig, I felt great. Canopus has produced a truly amazing instrument, I am more and more impressed with it. Thank you so, so much...

Andrew Dickeson
Andrew Dickson

All I can say is that they are amazing! They are definitely the best sounding drums I have ever played. I never thought I would play a better kit than my 50s Gretsch - I was wrong. They are so easy to tune - very sensitive.

Don Wilson(The Ventures)

I started playing the guitar in 1958 and have used many different kinds and models of amplifiers in the years since then. I therefore know what I like and what suits my amplifier needs. I have worked with the Canopus Company to make an amplifier to my specifications, and I find the Canopus Don Wilson Model amp to be one of the very best I have ever used. It has power, cleanness, sound, workmanship, physical looks all built in to one unit - it is compact with a good strong sounding reverb.

Fiona Taylor

About 10 years ago, Canopus worked with my husband, Mel Taylor, to make the wonderful signature model snare drum that he enjoyed playing so much. Mel and Usuda-san then began discussing the possibility of making a really high quality, perfection-oriented amplifier for members of The Ventures. This was a joint project that both Mel and Usuda-san wanted very much to bring about, in order to enhance the Ventures' sound. After Mel Taylor passed away in 1996, the project was set aside for some years, but now it is wonderful to see that the promise made by Usuda-san to manufacture this new amplifier has finally happened.